Eyebrow Tinting Makes Sparse Brows Look Instantly Thicker — Here's How to Do It at Home for Less
Forget complicated makeup routines that include meticulously filling in eyebrows with a brow pencil. There are a number of newer techniques that enhance eyebrows from microblading to brow lamination and powder brows, but eyebrow tinting is the easiest and most cost-effective solution to bulking up sparse arches. That's because tinting your brows can help brows appear thicker and conceal gray hairs at the same time — and the results last much longer than using a pencil along with costing less than pricey in-salon treatments. Here, top brow experts share more reasons to opt for tinting and how to dye eyebrows yourself to help turn back the clock. Keep scrolling for how to achieve your thickest brows ever!
What is eyebrow tinting?
“Eyebrow tinting involves the application of semi-permanent dye to enhance and define the eyebrows,” says Bridget Adamson, a brow expert and training and development manager for Shobha. And Autumn Estelle, brow artist with Benefit Cosmetics, says brow tinting is a great way to define, and in some cases, thicken the look of your brows. “It’s like waking up with makeup," says Estelle. “Lots of people have fine hair throughout their brow that can lack much more color than the thicker, more coarse hair.” So that's why adding a quick wash of tint throughout the brow will make those hairs more pronounced, says Estelle — and the results give your brows a fuller look for weeks at a time.
Related: What Is Microblading and Is It Right for Your Brows?
The benefits of eyebrow tinting
“Brow tinting helps you achieve the look of fuller brows and allows you to spend less time and effort filling in your brows with makeup,” says Estelle. “It makes the brows look fuller and helps mask any gray brow hairs. Plus, if you’re not a fan of doing your brows every day — or how much time it can take — brow tinting can help make your everyday beauty routine quicker."
Much like the hair on our head, as we age, your brow hair can start to thin and become dull, says Estelle, which is why fuller, bolder brows are often considered a sign of youth and good health. “Take this with a grain of salt though — brows are a form of self-expression and do not always reflect age."
Adamson agrees and says tinting effectively masks gray hairs, for a rejuvenated and polished look. “It brings color to finer or lighter hairs for an instant and long-lasting brow boost,” she explains. “Plus, the look can be tailored to individual preferences. Tints can be subtle or bold, depending on what you want.”
Related: Castor Oil Proven to Regrow Hair on Head, Eyebrows + Eyelashes — For Pennies A Day!
The best products to use to dye eyebrows
When learning how to dye eyebrows, an important first step is choosing the right product for you. For DIY tinting, Adamson recommends Godefroy Instant Eyebrow Tint (Buy from Shobha, $9) because it’s easy to use, long-lasting and works well on resistant gray hairs. “Godefroy uses natural, plant-based ingredients as opposed to synthetic dyes,” she says, which makes it a great option for those with sensitive skin.
We also like Hally Hair Brow Pal (Buy from Hally, $24) for its rich tones for brunettes and easy-to-apply applicator. And another dye that's ultra affordable and works well on brows is Just For Men Mustache and Beard Dye (Buy from Amazon, $10.42). This dye has gone viral on social media for it's ease to use, the variety of shades it comes in, how long it lasts and its wallet-friendly price.
How to pick the right color when dyeing eyebrows
“Matching your brow tint closely to your hair color creates a harmonious look, or you might choose to go darker for added definition,” says Adamson. Estelle agrees and notes that "as a rule of thumb, the shade of your brow hairs should coincide with the natural color of your hair at the roots.
Personal preference plays a role and if you’re unsure, consulting with a professional can offer personalized recommendations based on your features and how bold you like to go. “Brow tinting is a semi-permanent process, which does allow some room for experimentation until you find the perfect shade for you,” adds Adamson.
Best brow dye color for blondes
Blondes always belong on the lighter shades in the brow color wheels, says Estelle. “Choose between a warm or cool blonde shade and pick the tone that mirrors your hair," she advises. "Warm blondes have more golden undertones, while cools tend to be platinum blondes.”
Best brow dye color for brunettes
For brunettes, Estelle says to look for a true match or one to two shades deeper than your hair color — but never lighter.
Best brow dye color for dark brown and black hair
“People with deep brown to black hair rarely want to use a true match because they’re afraid of going too dark," says Estelle. "Opt for a lighter dark color and always make sure to match the undertones as well."
Best brow dye color for redheads
For redheads and those with auburn hair, reach for a brow tint that matches your natural hair color. Or opt for an auburn shade that combines your warm or cool undertones, suggests Estelle.
How to dye eyebrows
While, brow tinting is offered a salons, the service costs $35-$40 per session, which can add up. Thankfully, it's easy to learn how to dye eyebrows yourself. Here, the simple how-to from Adamson.
To begin, Amadson says to clean brows with micellar water and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the brow areas to prevent accidental staining of the skin. If you’re using the Godefroy dye, open the capsule and transfer the entire contents into the mixing cup. “Pour an equal amount of developer into the cup and thoroughly mix the solution,” she says. “Carefully apply the color in the direction of hair growth, followed by applying it in the opposite direction until brows are completely saturated. Leave the tint on for 1-2 minutes, and after the designated time, remove the color from the brow area with a damp paper towel." To see these steps in action, check out the below video from @StyleByZaza on YouTube.
When using Hally Brow, apply the product with a spoolie the same way as above, going in the direction of the hair growth and then against. Leave it on for 10 minutes, wipe off and then rinse as shown in the below TikTok form @alifewitayla.
For the Just for Men Beard dye, squeeze out equal parts dye and developer into the plastic container it comes with, mix well together and apply on brows with a spoolie. Leave on for 3-5 minutes, then wipe off and rinse. To see the mustache and beard dye trick in action, watch the below TikTok from @kirstinaquintana.
How long does eyebrow tinting last?
Brow tints last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Your lifestyle can also impact how long the tint lasts. Adamson notes that if you sweat a lot — for instance, if you live in a warmer climate or if you exercise regularly — your tint could last about 3-4 weeks. “We recommend avoiding excessive water exposure in the brow area, especially in the first 24 hours after tinting,” she says. “While it's essential to keep your brows clean, limiting contact with water can help the tint set and last longer.
To keep your eyebrow tint looking fresh, avoid using harsh cleansers in the brow area, as they can strip away color and natural oils, says Adamson. “Instead, opt for gentle, fragrance-free cleansers to keep your brows looking vibrant.”
Bonus: More ways to thicken brows without dyeing them
If you’d like to recreate the look of a tinted brow at home without dyeing, there are a few products that can help. Estelle says a simple way to achieve this look at home is by using a tinted brow gel, like Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel (Buy from Benefit Cosmetics, $26). She says it "tints, volumizes and tames [brows], providing the deeper brow color you would get from a tint, without the commitment.”
Another product that can help is a tinted brow wax, like Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Wax (Buy from Sephora, $27). “If your brows are light and you’re looking to add more depth, try using your brow gel of choice in a shade that’s two to three shades deeper than your brow hairs but still with the same undertone," Estelle says. "This will keep it looking natural."
Related: Powder Brows: The Most Natural-Looking Technique To Thicken Thinning Eyebrows
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